By James Gamble

The family of a boy who died of a rare heart condition told an inquest they believe he might still be alive today if doctors hadn't “failed” to diagnose him.

"Happy" Archie Squire was labelled a "mystery child" - in reference to his illness - despite more than 10 visits to A&E in his short life.

His parents, Lauren Parrish and Jake Squire, from Dover, claim doctors did not accurately diagnose his condition in the lead up to his death at the QEQM Hospital in Margate in November 2023.

The couple say they've endured an "incredibly painful" journey since their son's death, made worse by having to wait for answers.

At the tragic tot’s inquest at Oakwood House in Maidstone today, Archie’s emotional family said words "can’t describe" their experience of watching their son die just three days after his first birthday.

They told the hearing they believe there were "failures" in his care, especially in failing to diagnose what exactly was wrong with him in the months leading up to his death.

The family say Archie’s parents only received "vague answers" from doctors who failed to diagnose a precise medical issue with the sickly child, who died of a rare heart condition in November 2023.

A statement from Archie’s heartbroken mother, who has another younger son called Albie, detailed the little boy’s 10 visits to A&E during his short life, along with several other visits to the GP.

Ms Parrish explained that Archie had struggled with symptoms including constipation, breathlessness, vomiting and "failure to thrive" - relating to him not gaining weight or growing as expected - throughout his short life.

She first took her son to A&E in November 2022, shortly after his birth, when "grunting" noises he made in his sleep worsened.

Though he went on to visit A&E nine more times - being seen by several doctors, GPs and nurses - Ms Parrish said medical professionals described Archie as a "mystery child" as they couldn’t discern what exactly was wrong with him.

“[During his eight visit to A&E], Dr Edmund Grouse came to discharge [Archie],” Ms Parrish explained. "He said Archie was a mystery child as they didn’t know what was wrong with him.”

After Archie was again diagnosed with a lower respiratory tract infection by GPs, shortly after his ninth visit to A&E, Ms Parrish continued: “It felt like every time he was being diagnosed with a chest infection without any further investigation.”

On the final visit to A&E at the QEQM on the day after his first birthday, Ms Parrish said: "We had been back and forth seeking medical help so many times.

"I decided enough was enough."

Archie was fitted with a nasogastric (NG) tube going into his stomach, which the family believe was a "main contributing factor" to him going into cardiac arrest, the inquest was told.

X-rays were undertaken to check if the tube was in the correct place, and Ms Parrish told the inquest Archie’s condition deteriorated after drugs were administered through the tube on two occasions.

On the moments Archie fell into cardiac arrest and rescusitation was attempted, Ms Parrish added: “It seemed like a lot of what was needed was not available to [medical staff].

“Words cannot describe our experience.”

After being told he would be severely brain-damaged with a poor quality of life if he was resuscitated, Ms Parrish and Archie’s dad, Jake Squire, agreed to stop CPR.

A post-mortem revealed the boy had suffered heart failure caused by isolated cardiac ventricular inversion, where the left atrium enters the right ventricle and vice versa.

The family said in a statement: “We believe there were failures to recognise a poorly child not just in the hours leading up to Archie’s death, but also in the months before.

“Concerns were raised on many occasions about Archie’s breathing.

“We believe there have been missed opportunities to prevent his death. We feel it is our duty to raise these in the form of a complaint, in the hope that no other child dies unnecessarily.

“We believe that lessons are not being learned. We feel compassion is still lacking.

“Archie’s parents raised health concerns relating to his breathing.

“They were often left with vague answers and little treatment which never led to long-term recovery.

“Why weren’t parents’ concerns listened to on numerous occasions? If he was poorly, why wasn’t this recognised?”

A statement from Archie’s godmother, Nikki Escudier, described him as a "shining light", saying: “Born on November 20, 2022, Archie brought happiness into the world from the beginning.

“Archie was a shining light, a little boy whose laughter touched everyone lucky enough to meet him.

"In just 368 precious days, he filled every moment with warmth, laughter, and the kind of love that stays with you forever.

“His smile lit up the room and his presence left a lasting mark on every heart he touched.

“Though his time with us was heartbreakingly short, he continues to live on.

“Archie loved football, whether watching his Uncle [play] or sitting on Pop’s knee.

“Archie loved his visits to the zoo; his eyes wide with wonder.

“Archie was more than a baby. He was a gift, a gentle soul. He brought people together.

“His sweet nature made him unforgettable.

“Everyone who met Archie felt his charm. He will never get to grow up alongside his brother and we will never get to see the man he would’ve become.

“Archie Squire made this world brighter simply by being here. And though he is gone, he will always be with us - deeply loved and forever remembered."

The inquest, expected to last eight days, continues.